5 Reasons to Fall in Love with Eleven South Bistro and Bar | (Photos and Review)

Determining the menu for a restaurant is much like designing a fashion line. You must remain true to your brand, keep up with the trends, and be willing to take risks. A lesson I learned from level two sommelier John Nagy, managing partner of Eleven South Bistro and Bar my first date night destination in this series.

Not only did I have the chance to experience a well rounded selection of the menu, I also took some time to observe the setting and kitchen during peak hours. What I learned made my heart skip a beat.

It’s no secret that the farm to table movement has seen a major wave of popularity in the last few years. Thanks to the public making it more of a priority, many restaurants have made a greater effort at increasing their local fare. For Eleven South this is routine, as they have had a commitment to the freshest ingredients since inception, naturally requiring a relationship with local purveyors like Safe Harbor seafood market, and Beaver Street Produce.

2. A Culinary Family
From my conversation with John to my careful observation of the kitchen in full throttle I gleaned that this team is more than a cohesive group, they are a family. John spoke with glowing pride of his staff, many of whom successfully pioneered businesses elsewhere only to return to the Bistro down the line. I spoke with some of the “regulars” at the bar while observing the careful dance the kitchen line did while working together. The guests claimed that weekly they come and grab the seats next to the kitchen just to watch the crew work. They said Eleven’s crew is a team like no other, always watching each other’s backs and giving high fives when they’ve accomplished a particularly successful evening. Indeed it’s important to the leadership that everyone feels like they can bring something to the table, and that motivation is physically felt in the energy of the place, and visibly seen on the plate.

Individually, the leadership at Eleven South are rockstars in their own right. Take General Manager James Morrow who founded Jacksonville’s first cigar, wine, and martini bar Aromas. The staff are like pieces of a mosaic that as a unit create a masterpiece.

Pulling from inspiration around the world, and their own first hand experiences they have successfully compiled a menu worth visiting again and again. With staple favorites and new seasonal specials, there is something for every palate whether you are looking to mix it up and be adventurous or stick to something more traditional. “Everyone is well versed at creating here”, stated John when I questioned just how they determine the menu, implying that group effort is welcomed. In kind I should also mention the incredible wine selection and expertise in pairing each dish. I enjoyed several tastes from the collection including Chalk Hill, Delaporte, and Trouble Maker escalating each bite to it’s own sweet perfection.

4. Set the Scene

Enjoy the scene on the Patio, at the Bar, or in the Romantic Dining Area

Whether you are seeking an intimate getaway for a special someone, a refreshing lunch spot for you and the girls, or a trendy bar scene for socializing in, Eleven South is your spot. This sophisticated bistro and bar is at once the place you might want to get dressed up for.. .yet carries that casual beach vibe that puts you at ease. I love the patio for a little fresh air and great natural light in the afternoon, the bar is a hopping social scene at night, and the dining room provides a lovely romantic setting for any intimate occasion.

Before my review I had enjoyed the experience of Eleven South on several occasions. The caliber of service remained consistently sublime each time. The staff was well versed on the menu selections from wine to dessert. On top of that our glasses where never empty, our every need was met, and we were met with smiling faces at every glance and helpful hand. The attention to detail was flawless. The customers that I spoke with raved that this was their “go to” date night spot, and honestly couldn’t seem to stop singing praises for the staff and leadership. Just in case they were biased though, the list of awards credited to the restaurant speak with volume enough: Eight consecutive “Wine Spectator Award of Excellence”, Four consecutive “Golden Spoon” Awards, and Open Table “Diners Choice” just to get started.

Clearly owners Karen Thomas and John Nagy’s recipe for infatuating their guests is truly successful, and that is why Eleven South Bistro and Bar is my first stop on this date night destination tour of the First Coast.